He may not be Mayor yet but the conservative Juan Antonio Amengual (Partido Popular) has outlined plans to make Calvia (Magalluf, Santa Ponsa, Palmanova, Paguera etc) an all-year-round holiday destination with the beaches being opened and cleaned 12 months of the year.
It could be said that Amengual will become Mayor through the back door. The present socialist Mayor Alfonso Rodriguez secured enough votes for 12 councillors compared to the Partido Popular's eight but the socialists failed to gain an overall majority (13 councillors), which will mean that a pact between Partido Popular and the far-right Vox (five councillors) is on the table. In fact, talks have already started.
Amengual said during the election campaign that he wanted to make greater use of Calvia's cultural and sporting facilities. He wants Calvia to be open for business all year round, which will please the business community.
Calvia has been ruled by the socialists for the last eight years.
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David HollandBeach resorts aren't great winter destinations. And that explains why they largely close up in winter. Brits in particular, are generally averse to anything but beach resorts, and Calvia beach resorts are where a majority of Brits take their Mallorca hols. But like most beach resorts, it's chilly and the beaches aren't particularly warm or pleasant, many local businesses simply close up shop, and there isn't much to offer in winter, so Brits generally don't go. Hence, the lack of demand for flights from Britain. There are lots of flights from Germany though, and most other European cities, because the demand is there. And Americans are also starting to show up in winter. But here's the thing; Europeans (and yanks) aren't quite as married to beach resorts, because the majority of these winter tourists aren't coming here for sand and sea, or to party in the local nightclubs. In fact, it's generally more affluent tourists that flock here in winter, because Mallorca offers what they're looking for - a relaxing reprieve from the cold Northern climate - and/or to golf, sightsee, experience local culture, visit markets, wineries, attend social gatherings, cycling, equestrian activities, working remotely, etc. Often for weeks, even months at a time. There's plenty of top quality accomodation outside the resorts, everything remains open as usual, and prices are lower. And it's less crowded. Winter tourism is (quietly) alive, well ...and growing, but it's a very different animal, and the tourism industry is only now beginning to understand this. Until the resorts can offer something of interest to that demographic, then they aren't likely to see any dramatic increase in winter bookings. And especially not from Britain. Still, Britain accounts for only a fractional, highly seasonal demographic anyway, so it's rather inconsequential in the overall winter tourism discussion.
Morgan WilliamsWell this snow bird would come and walk and eat and spend. Admittedly not in the resorts mentioned. But my lovely third generation Majorcan host Maria would keep her hotel open at least to the end of November if the flights from her main markets Germany and the U.K. were available. And her walking , cycling, clients and those who want a taste of early spring could arrive in early February not nearly Easter. I gather by your comments that the good mayor of Calvia is wasting his time promoting the region as a all year round destination as it has nothing to offer . But Andriax , Palma ,Soller and many other places do.
David HollandFor Brits, David. For Brits. Winter tourists aren't coming here to sit in a spartan 20m2 hotel room overlooking a cold windy beach with most everything around them boarded up. So it's only natural that flights from Britain would be sparse. There's loads of flights from all over Europe though. And they're well booked. But they're not going to Palmanova and Magaluf. The other 99% of the island is open and active. And that's where they spend their winter hols. Some come here for months. Every year. It's rather quiet money, though, because there's nothing exciting or furious to report. Just snow birds enjoying a little golf, horseback riding, cycling, working remotely, or just chilling in a much warmer and more enjoyable environment. I know. Booooring! That's probably why you don't hear about it.
So he’s going to have to talk to the airlines November to end February it’s darn near impossible to get there. Choice of spending a day with 2 flights to get to Palma. Or 3 hours to faro , or Barcelona or Rome. Or even 6 hours directly to Dubai The guys got his work cut out I think.
'he wanted to make greater use of Calvia´s cultural facilities' In Magaluf, Palma Nova and Santa Ponca? Seriously?